Editors at the publication came under fire from fans of the “Girls” actress after a blogger claimed the images used for the February edition had been doctored to make her appear slimmer than she is.

Dunham has now hit back at the criticism, saying that she thinks having an alternative cultural icon on the cover of a major publication still sends a strong message.

She tells Slate magazine, “I understand that for people there is a contradiction between what I do and being on the cover of Vogue; but frankly I really don’t know what the Photoshopping situation is, I can’t look at myself really objectively in that way. I know that I felt really like Vogue supported me and wanted to put a depiction of me on the cover. I never felt bullied into anything; I felt really happy because they dressed me and styled me in a way that really reflects who I am. And I felt that was very lucky and that all the editors understood my persona, my creativity and who I am.

“I haven’t been keeping track of all the reactions, but I know some people have been very angry about the cover and that confuses me a little. I don’t understand why, Photoshop or no, having a woman who is different than the typical Vogue cover girl, could be a bad thing.”